Startup EdgeCloudLink has introduced the world's first modular data center powered by hydrogen and printed using a 3D printer. A new 1 MW data center has been deployed in Mountain View, California for cloud service provider Cato Digital. The project was financed by the companies Molex and Hyperwise, the total amount of investment was $7 million.
EdgeCloudLink (ECL) has designed its modular data centers specifically for the high-density deployment of GPUs demanded by growing AI workloads. According to the company's founder and CEO Yuval Bachar, ECL uses hydrogen fuel cells to generate energy, which enables the centers to produce no carbon dioxide at all. The water produced during the operation of the fuel cells is used to cool the equipment with the help of heat exchangers on the rear doors of the racks.
The construction technology of ECL data centers involves the use of 3D printers, which reduces costs and deployment times. Bachar noted that the printing of modular structures off-site is the most ecological way. For larger projects, the company can deploy several modular centers with a total capacity of up to 100 MW within just 12 months.
< /p>
The company claims its data centers have a PUE of 1.05 and can be deployed almost anywhere. In the absence of network connectivity, ECL can provide it using fiber optic cables and a network-as-a-service model. It is important to note that ECL data centers are also characterized by low noise levels.
Critics of hydrogen data center technology point out that hydrogen is often produced from fossil fuels. This calls into question the overall environmental friendliness of the project. However, ECL claims that their approach can reduce data center emissions by 60-70% compared to traditional methods, even if the hydrogen is delivered by truck.
EdgeCloudLink plans to deploy 100-150 MW in the coming year for its customers The company also offers its solutions under the “data center as a service” model, managing the built center on behalf of the client. According to Bachar, ECL intends to support the growing space, power and cooling needs of the AI industry with innovative solutions.